GPs 'too busy with paperwork'

Doctors are forced to spend too much time on paperwork and it prevents them from spending time with their patients, a survey has found. Research released by solicitors Your Legal Friend found doctors spent 17 hours looking after administration.

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Doctors feel hampered by Government reforms to the NHS and patients "don't seem to be receiving the basic level of care they deserve," said a leading doctor.

Manchester based GP, Dr Chris Steele said it was paramount "patient care is placed front and centre at all time," in the NHS.

These are worrying times for the NHS, as doctors express considerable doubt about whether the system actually works.

Furthermore, patients don't seem to be receiving the basic level of care they deserve. The last thing any doctor wants is to see their patients suffer unnecessarily and we must address problems in the current system so that patient care is placed front and centre at all time.

The survey carried out by solicitors Your Legal Friend quizzed 400 doctors on their time management and their concerns about contact with patients.

Researchers also questioned 1000 members of the public on their experiences with the NHS.

Some 35% said they had received poor care from health workers while 71% delayed going to the doctor. Of these, 52% said it was because of trouble getting an appointment, with one in five waiting a week or more.